Chromosome groups 5, 6 and 7 harbor major quantitative trait loci controlling root traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Identifying genomic regions for root traits in bread wheat can help breeders develop climate-resilient and high-yielding wheat varieties with desirable root traits. This study used the recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Synthetic W7984 × Opata M85 to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for different root traits such as rooting depth (RD), root dry mass (RM), total root length (RL), root diameter (Rdia) and root surface areas (RSA1 for coarse roots and RSA2 for fine roots) under controlled conditions in a semi-hydroponic system. We detected 14 QTL for eight root traits on nine wheat chromosomes; we discovered three QTL each for RD and RSA1, two QTL each for RM and RSA2, and one QTL each for RL, Rdia, specific root length and nodal root number per plant. The detected QTL were concentrated on chromosome groups 5, 6 and 7. The QTL for shallow RD (<i>Q.rd.uwa.7BL</i>: <i>Xbarc50</i>) and high RM (<i>Q.rm.uwa.6AS</i>: <i>Xgwm334</i>) were validated in two independent F₂ populations of Synthetic W7984 × Chara and Opata M85 × Cascade, respectively. Genotypes containing negative alleles for <i>Q.rd.uwa.7BL</i> had 52% shallower RD than other Synthetic W7984 × Chara population lines. Genotypes with the positive alleles for <i>Q.rm.uwa.6AS</i> had 31.58% higher RM than other Opata M85 × Cascade population lines. Further, we identified 21 putative candidate genes for RD (<i>Q.rd.uwa.7BL</i>) and 13 for RM (<i>Q.rm.uwa.6AS</i>); <i>TraesCS6A01G020400</i>, <i>TraesCS6A01G024400</i> and <i>TraesCS6A01G021000</i> identified from <i>Q.rm.uwa.6AS</i>, and <i>TraesCS7B01G404000</i>, <i>TraesCS7B01G254900</i> and <i>TraesCS7B01G446200</i> identified from <i>Q.rd.uwa.7BL</i> encoded important proteins for root traits. We found germin-like protein encoding genes in both <i>Q.rd.uwa.7BL</i> and <i>Q.rm.uwa.6AS</i> regions. These genes may play an important role in RM and RD improvement. The identified QTL, especially the validated QTL and putative candidate genes are valuable genetic resources for future root trait improvement in wheat.